“Dealing with the Mental Deficient” in Red Deer News, February 11, 1925

February 11, 1925. “Dealing with the Mental Deficient” is a letter to the editor of the Red Deer News written by Amos Wilton. Wilton recalls the current discussions of the U.F.A., George Hoadley (Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture) and others who were vocal in discussions regarding sterilization and the mental deficient. Wilton’s concern was how these individuals intended to go through with enacting the sterilization process in Alberta and what the purpose of it was. He posed the question of who the mentally deficient were and asked where individuals, such as Hoadley, would draw the line? He stated that every man could be considered imperfect in some way. Wilton did not support the U.F.A or the U.F.W.A. and what in his opinion were their extremist views. Wilton concluded by stating that he opposed sterilization with all of his manhood and would do so until someone proved to him why he should support it. This article is a good example of the kind of debate people engaged with surrounding eugenic topics.

This article can be found online in the Peel Collection here.

-Laura Shaw

“Dealing with the Mental Deficient” in Red Deer News, February 11, 1925

February 11, 1925. “Dealing with the Mental Deficient” is a letter to the editor of the Red Deer News written by Amos Wilton. Wilton recalls the current discussions of the U.F.A., George Hoadley (Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture) and others who were vocal in discussions regarding sterilization and the mental deficient. Wilton’s concern was how these individuals intended to go through with enacting the sterilization process in Alberta and what the purpose of it was. He posed the question of who the mentally deficient were and asked where individuals, such as Hoadley, would draw the line? He stated that every man could be considered imperfect in some way. Wilton did not support the U.F.A or the U.F.W.A. and what in his opinion were their extremist views. Wilton concluded by stating that he opposed sterilization with all of his manhood and would do so until someone proved to him why he should support it. This article is a good example of the kind of debate people engaged with surrounding eugenic topics.

This article can be found online in the Peel Collection here.

-Laura Shaw